The Guardian Books podcast

The Guardian

The Guardian Books podcast is our weekly look at the world of books, presented by Claire Armitstead, Richard Lea and Sian Cain. In-depth interviews with authors from all over the world, discussions and investigations make this the perfect companion for readers and writers alike

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

20 episodes
Updated Apr 1, 2022

Episodes20

Newest first

Apr 1, 2022 · 49 min
Weekend: episode two of a new podcast
In this episode, Marina Hyde looks at the new additions to Downing Street, Hadley Freeman interviews Hollywood actor Will Arnett, Sirin Kale tries her hand at quiz show Mastermind, and David Robson examines why we’re so stressed about stress
Feb 5, 2022 · 48 min
Weekend: episode one of a new podcast
In our first episode, Marina Hyde reflects on another less than stellar week for Boris Johnson, Edward Helmore charts the rise of Joe Rogan, Laura Snapes goes deep with singer George Ezra, and Alex Moshakis asks, “Are you a jerk at work?”
Jul 1, 2021 · 39 min
Comfort Eating with Grace Dent: episode one of a new podcast
In the first episode of our new podcast, screenwriter Russell T Davies tells Grace Dent about his childhood in Swansea, the delights of Woolworth’s pork and egg pies, and how his husband’s death informed his TV series It’s a Sin
Apr 21, 2020 · 42 min
'Our climate crisis is a choice': Christiana Figueres on why we can change the future - books podcast
On our final episode, the diplomat who spearheaded the Paris Agreement discusses why we should feel optimisitic about our ability to tackle the climate crisis
Apr 14, 2020 · 37 min
Why David Attenborough is famous but 'he isn't a celebrity' – books podcast
We speak to Horrible Histories consultant and podcaster Greg Jenner about the history of celebrity and share what listeners are reading
Apr 7, 2020 · 32 min
From diseases to memes, how do things spread? - books podcast
Mathematician Adam Kucharski talks about how the concept of ‘contagion’ is rooted in our social lives and we share your reading tips for lockdown
Mar 31, 2020 · 36 min
Hunting down the 42 paintings of Pieter Bruegel - books podcast
On this week’s show we talk to Toby Ferris about his pursuit of the Dutch master and look at how the literary world is dealing with the pandemic
Mar 24, 2020 · 37 min
Glenn Patterson and what to read while self-isolating – books podcast
On this week’s show we talk to the Northern Irish writer about his new novel and discuss how headlines can impact our appetite for certain books
Mar 17, 2020 · 37 min
Who was St Paul? With Christos Tsiolkas and Tom Holland – books podcast
On this week’s podcast, we talk to Tsiolkas about his novel on the life of St Paul and the historian Holland explains what we know about the man
Mar 10, 2020 · 32 min
'What if Gandalf joined The Sweeney?': Ben Aaronovitch on Rivers of London – books podcast
On this week’s show, the bestselling fantasy author talks about how he came to invent a magical branch of the Met, and we discuss Hilary Mantel’s new novel The Mirror & The Light
Mar 3, 2020 · 36 min
Inside the Brontës' fantasy world, and a Booker controversy – books podcast
On this week’s show, we talk to graphic novelist Isabel Greenberg about her comic Glass Town and the 2020 longlist for the International Booker prize
Feb 25, 2020 · 30 min
The surprising history of astrology – books podcast
Alexander Boxer talks about his book A Scheme of Heaven and we discuss why Harvey Weinstein’s lawyers tried to remove a juror for her reading history
Feb 18, 2020 · 32 min
Maaza Mengiste on the Ethiopian women who fought Italy – books podcast
The novelist explains how she discovered her family was woven into history, plus the new wave of Ethiopian literature in English
Feb 11, 2020 · 34 min
Sophie Hannah on the recipe for a perfect crime novel – books podcast
The crime writer joins us to discuss the mechanics of mystery novels, plus Margaret Atwood at the Hay festival in Cartagena
Feb 4, 2020 · 32 min
Adam Rutherford on how to tackle racist pseudoscience - books podcast
The geneticist explains why science offers no support for prejudice
Jan 28, 2020 · 38 min
Jonathan Coe and Sara Collins on their Costa-winning novels – books podcast
We welcome not one but two Costa winners, as the victors in the novel and the debut fiction categories join us in the studio
Jan 22, 2020 · 39 min
Jeanine Cummins on her explosive new novel, American Dirt
The novelist explains her sudden decision to write her controversial thriller, and we hail TS Eliot prize winner Roger Robinson
Jan 14, 2020 · 37 min
Samantha Harvey on her year without sleep – books podcast
On this week’s show, the novelist explains how she came to write about her insomnia and we consider why indie bookshops are booming in the UK and Ireland
Jan 7, 2020 · 32 min
Eoin Colfer on returning to Artemis Fowl – books podcast
This week, the creator of the biggest child villain in literature talks about comedy writing and seeing his creation adapted by Disney
Dec 24, 2019 · 36 min
Our favourite books of 2019, and the most exciting books of 2020 – books podcast
Priya Basil talks about the dynamics of the dinner table and her book Be My Guest, and we chat about the best books of the year